diff --git a/py/test/collect.py b/py/test/collect.py
index bf20d071b..46ab8b1e0 100644
--- a/py/test/collect.py
+++ b/py/test/collect.py
@@ -448,8 +448,11 @@ class Directory(FSCollector):
     def consider_dir(self, path, usefilters=None):
         if usefilters is not None:
             APIWARN("0.99", "usefilters argument not needed")
-        return self._config.pytestplugins.call_each(
-            'pytest_collect_directory', path=path, parent=self)
+        res = self._config.pytestplugins.call_firstresult(
+            'pytest_collect_recurse', path=path, parent=self)
+        if res is None or res:
+            return self._config.pytestplugins.call_each(
+                'pytest_collect_directory', path=path, parent=self)
 
 from py.__.test.runner import basic_run_report, forked_run_report
 class Item(Node): 
diff --git a/py/test/plugin/pytest_plugintester.py b/py/test/plugin/pytest_plugintester.py
index a71567fbd..eb3986dbb 100644
--- a/py/test/plugin/pytest_plugintester.py
+++ b/py/test/plugin/pytest_plugintester.py
@@ -123,8 +123,16 @@ class PytestPluginHooks:
     def pytest_collect_file(self, path, parent):
         """ return Collection node or None. """
 
+    def pytest_collect_recurse(self, path, parent):
+        """ return True/False to cause/prevent recursion into given directory. 
+            return None if you do not want to make the decision. 
+        """ 
+
+    def pytest_collect_directory(self, path, parent):
+        """ return Collection node or None. """
+
     def pytest_pymodule_makeitem(self, modcol, name, obj):
-        """ return custom item/collector or None.  """
+        """ return custom item/collector for a python object in a module, or None.  """
 
     # from pytest_terminal plugin
     def pytest_report_teststatus(self, event):
diff --git a/py/test/testing/test_collect.py b/py/test/testing/test_collect.py
index 048de632d..e59fd238a 100644
--- a/py/test/testing/test_collect.py
+++ b/py/test/testing/test_collect.py
@@ -197,6 +197,22 @@ class TestCustomConftests:
         assert item.name == "hello.xxx"
         assert item.__class__.__name__ == "CustomItem"
 
+    def test_avoid_directory_on_option(self, testdir):
+        testdir.makeconftest("""
+            class ConftestPlugin:
+                def pytest_addoption(self, parser):
+                    parser.addoption("--XX", action="store_true", default=False)
+                def pytest_collect_recurse(self, path, parent):
+                    return parent._config.getvalue("XX")
+        """)
+        testdir.mkdir("hello")
+        evrec = testdir.inline_run(testdir.tmpdir)
+        names = [rep.colitem.name for rep in evrec.getnamed("collectionreport")]
+        assert 'hello' not in names 
+        evrec = testdir.inline_run(testdir.tmpdir, "--XX")
+        names = [rep.colitem.name for rep in evrec.getnamed("collectionreport")]
+        assert 'hello' in names 
+
 class TestCollectorReprs:
     def test_repr_metainfo_basic_item(self, testdir):
         modcol = testdir.getmodulecol("")